UNC Campus Connections

The UNC School of Medicine will launch a rural health initiative in the state with a $1.5 million award from The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. To be called the UNC Rural Interprofessional Health Initiative, it will be focused on improving health care in rural areas of North Carolina through establishing clinical experiences for health professions students in those areas. (Triangle Business Journal)

Hinton James leaves a legend and a legacy in UNC's most-populated dorm

Hinton James Residence Hall will turn 50 years old this fall. Built in 1967, the dormitory houses 964 freshmen and has 10 floors. The building, which is the furthest of all dorms from main campus, was named after the first student to arrive at UNC. Archivist Nicholas Graham said Hinton James came from Pender County in the area that is now Burgaw, North Carolina. (Daily Tar Heel)

UNC has impressive young alumni in a variety of fields

Andy Griffith, Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm — need I name more? UNC is home to some amazing people who have made their mark following graduation. Here’s a list of noteworthy UNC alumni who have graduated in the 21st century. CNN news anchor, Brooke Baldwin seems like she has it all. She came back to speak at UNC's 2017 commencement. (Daily Tar Heel)

Julian Robertson Jr. ’55, who in 2000 established the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program — in which undergraduates from UNC and Duke split their classes between the universities — is among the 2017 recipients of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. Robertson is one of eight recipients, six of whom are Americans. (UNC General Alumni Association)

With $2.6M grant, NFL taps UNC to conduct concussion research

As the concern rises about concussions and head injuries among athletes, the NFL is calling on one UNC department to explore rehabilitation strategies. Whether it's football, rugby, soccer, basketball or ice hockey, athletes are at risk. "About 10 percent of athletes on a football team will sustain a concussion within a given year," said UNC professor Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz. (WRAL.com)

A memorial tribute to Charles Kuralt, twenty years ago

On Friday, July 4, 1997 we heard the sad news from New York that Tar Heel Charles Kuralt had died. Four days later, a memorial service was held in Chapel Hill. On this, the twentieth anniversary of Kuralt’s passing, Hugh Morton collection volunteer Jack Hilliard recalls that day when a group of North Carolina’s finest gathered to celebrate the life of “CBS’ poet of small-town America.” (A View To Hugh)

Chapel Hill to host July 4 fireworks inside Kenan Stadium

The Town of Chapel Hill will host its annual fireworks celebration at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan Stadium on Fourth of July. Gates open at 7 p.m. and family activities are planned throughout the evening. Donations to offset the cost of the event will be accepted at the gate. Recommended donations are $1 per person or $5 per family. (Carolina Blue)

Forbes 30 Under 30, Food & Drink - UNC alum Katlin Smith

Katlin Smith, Founder of Simple Mills, Inc. Smith started working on her business as a side project before leaving her job at Deloitte to build her brand full-time. Four years later Simple Mills, based in Chicago, sells baking mixes, crackers and frosting in more than 6,000 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods and Target. (Forbes)

Asheville physician Sara Hoyt honored by UNC

Sara Hoyt once again walked across the familiar campus of UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine this spring, but this time, at age 93, it was to receive the Distinguished Medical Alumna Award. A retired pediatrician, Hoyt was a member of the first four-year graduating class in 1954 and one of only two women in the class. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

UNC med school alum Francis Collins will stay on as head of National Institutes of Health

The White House announced that Francis S. Collins will stay on as director of the National Institutes of Health, extending Collins’s tenure. Collins, a physician and geneticist, has led NIH since 2009. He is renowned for his leadership of the International Human Genome Project, which in 2003 sequenced the complete human genetic blueprint for the first time. (Washington Post)

UNC Paws program helps those coping with mental disorders

The UNC Paws program focuses on aiding those coping with mental health issues. "Having a psychotic episode or acute episode is devastating to a lot of people," said Dr. John Gilmore, a professor at the UNC School of Medicine. "We help people with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar (disorder) kind of get back on their feet." (ABC 11)

The writer’s life is UNC alum, professor Daniel Wallace’s own ‘extraordinary adventure’

Daniel Wallace calls his new book, Extraordinary Adventures, his most autobiographical work yet. Wallace is the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English and director of the creative writing program in UNC’s College of Arts & Science and the bestselling author of previous novels including Big Fish. (UNC.edu)

Carolina Firsts: Patricia Horoho

After leaving UNC, Patricia Horoho began a successful career as a nurse and later as an administrator in the U.S. Army. She was serving in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and provided first aid to many of the victims of the attack. In 2011, Horoho was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. She was the first woman to serve in that role. (UNC.edu)

Town of Chapel Hill to host Fourth of July celebration at Kenan Stadium

Join us once again as a spectacular display of fireworks echoes throughout Kenan Stadium this Independence day. Travel & Leisure Magazine ranked Chapel Hill no. 10 as America’s Best Towns for July Fourth Celebrations. This is one celebration you won’t want to miss! This year gates open at 7 p.m. and family activities and fun are planned throughout the evening. (Town of Chapel Hill)

Marching Tar Heels band together on and off the field

Four hours before every game, the Marching Tar Heels warm up while the rest of us sleep late. Three hours before every game, they play as the team makes its way through Tar Heel Town. Two hours before every game, they play in the Pit to get students hyped up. One hour before every game, they march to the stadium in time for kick-off. And that’s just for football season. (Daily Tar Heel)